Basketball team affected by lack of visas for the U.S.

The Cuban national team that will face the United States on February 22 in the qualifying window for the Fiba AmeriCup 2025 travelled to Florida on Tuesday with just eight players.

In addition to the absences of Howard Sant Roos and Yoanki Mencia due to documentation issues, there are now Pedro Bombino and Marcos Chacon, as explained to JIT by the president of the Cuban Basketball Federation, Dalia Henry.

The latter players, who play in the Argentinian league, were denied visas to enter the host country for the first leg, further weakening the West Indies squad.

Technical director Osmel Planas will not be able to count on fundamental pieces of his team and will be forced to look for variants in the Silver Spur Arena, located in the town of Osceola.

This situation increases the Caribbean side's disadvantage against the American team, who will also have a quality squad and the home advantage.

Planas will have to take into account less tactical and more physical aspects to avoid overloading those who will be taking on the complex match.

Fortunately, Henry confirmed to JIT, all four players will be able to play in the second leg on 25 February at the Havana Sports City Coliseum.